Sleeping In Seattle; My Emerald City Photo Blog

Soon after I began writing, I came across a Photo Blog post. When I became a Contributing Writer for Collective Voice Magazine (formerly State Of Liberation Magazine) I went full speed exploring all the creative blogs to get ideas and learn from those more experienced than I. This is when I set my eyes on a Photo Blog.

One did not have to have years of blogging under there belt. I had absolutely no experience at time I joined this awesome writing team!

I came a blog post one day that was very different than what I had seen prior. The content of the post was primarily pictures. Below the photos was a Caption or a Summary of the photo. The summaries were at times very brief, some were a little longer. However, nothing like content usually found in a writer’s post. Mostly a story in words with images space throughout the post.

The first photo blog I saw, instantly I put creating one of my own on my “To Do” list. In fact I intentionally seek them out at times. Many Photography Websites might have such a story told in images.

I am NOT a photographer. Pictures I take will be done with my phone. But the day has come and the time is now for my own PHOTO BLOG!

“Sleeping In Seattle; My Emerald City Photo Blog.”

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus

Visiting the Pacific Northwest in late Spring and throughout the Summer is awesome! What’s even more awesome is being lucky enough to fly in when “The Mountain Is Out!” It does not take long to learn, if you are not from the Pacific Northwest, when locals say “The Mountain Is Out”, they are referring to Mt. Rainier on a sunny day. A breath taking view, to be seen for miles. This image is from one of my descents coming home, taken from the plane.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus

Or, if a visitor would rather, it is not a problem to get “up close and personal” with Mt. Rainier. This photo was taken in Mt. Rainier National Forrest. Standing there in all her glory.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus

If you would prefer or after you visit “The Mountain”, head East and spend some time at Snoqualmie Falls in Fall City, WA. Fall City is a very small town, but loads of fun! Snoqualmie Falls is just a few more miles to the East. The falls run into the Snoqualmie River, which runs through Fall City. When Summer arrives and the weather gets warm, “Floating” the Snoqualmie is the thing to do. I have not personally have not been on the “Float” before. However, do not doubt, it is climbing high on my bucket list.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus, CollectiveVoicemag.com

This photo is also Snoqualmie Falls, just provides a different view. The flow of the Falls in these two particular photos is pretty normal. However, about three years ago, we had an extremely cold and wet winter. The weather began to warm and we set record rain fall. One day we ventured up to Snoqualmie Falls and it was unbelievable how raging it was. Observers could feel the mist and pure power of the water.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus, CollectiveVoiceMag.com

Looking down river. This location is the part of River that runs through Fall City, WA. I probably took this photo early Summer. The river is full of Snow Melt from the mountains and is freezing! When the weather gets much warmer and the rafting begins, floaters will be all over the river.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus, CollectiveVoiceMage.com

Our Miniature Dachshund, Corey, loved the river!

Image by Teresa Brqanam Wilgus, CollectiveVoiceMag.com

And, SO DID I!! Ten minutes from home. Pack a cooler & beach necessaties. We were there for the day! When you’re done, pack up the car and head just across the street to one of the two bars in Fall City and enjoy a nice cold beverage of your choice.

Image by Teresa Branam Wilgus, CollectiveVoiceMag.com

When we lived on the Eastside of Seattle (suburbs) the river and the falls were literally 10 minutes out the front door. When we wanted to switch up the scenery, we headed to Golden Gardens. Along with what often seems to be along with EVERYONE else. Golden Gardens is nestled in Ballard, WA. Ballard is is a community in the heart of Seattle. Don’t let the sunshine and sun bathers fool you. This beach is on the Puget Sound, not sure if it gets above freezing!

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We made the big move from the suburb to the city. Admittedly, is was not without a bit of Culture Shock, we are still adjusting at times. I captured this image close to our building in the city. When I glanced out the window at each visual, I suddenly had a feeling of something new. A new neighborhood, new lifestyle, and adjusting sleeping habits to shut out the of the city. When I view both of these photos, I see and feel each and every newness and adjustments we are making.

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Speaking of changes, this type of change can be seen all over the City of Seattle. These photos were taken when I was right out the front door of our building. Not the same day. They were taken about a month apart, obviously at different stages of construction. I loved the reflection in the one on the left in the glass windows of the fully constructed building in the background. When complete, it will ba hotel. Not just A hotel, but the tallest hotel “this side of the Mississippi”. So I have been told.

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I could not leave you without these last two photos. Boating Season is celebrated here in Seattle in a huge way. Seafair is a weekend long event when we are happy to see the Blue Angels return and perform a spectacular show. During Seafair, there are many events and entertainment such as Hydro-Plane races. It is all very cool.

Now, I’m finished, here are my thoughts on creating a Photo Blog

My initial thought is, I have a lot to learn.

Creating a Photo Blog is also not a easy as I had expected. For example, all of my photos I wanted to feature were not neatly placed in the same folder. They not all the exact size I wanted them so I had to take the time to coordinate sizes according to placement.

As far as the written content, I found myself with the need to monitor how many words I added after each picture or group. Clearly when we are use to more written content, this issue is not always in the forefront of our minds.

If you are a photographer and do photos bogs, please share your link. I would love to look at more. In addition, if you have any ideas, topics, tips or tricks, please share for others who might have an interest. And, for me as well, more are definitely in my future.

Teresa Branam Wilgus

In her spare time she likes to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful Pacific Northwest summers and experiencing new adventures with her boyfriend of 5 1/2 years.
She is an admitted football fanatic and loves the excitement of participating in Fantasy Football with her sons, boyfriend, family and friends from the Pacific Northwest, Florida and Indiana!
The only work she have had published, is a poem published in Creativity Magazine when she was in the 8th grade. She has always enjoyed writing, however it wasn’t until encouraged by a professor and a few friends that she realized writing just might be the “Gift” God gave her.
Teresa is preparing her Freelance/Content Writing Services for Launch in February 2017. Services are available for businesses and corporations of all sizes and also to those Bloggers wanting to enhance their own content for readers.
Her ultimate goal is to have a book published based on personal experiences in her own life and hopes it is not only entertaining and engaging, but might also help some reader, somewhere, somehow.